20 Years After 9/11: How To Cope With The Trauma

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For those who have lost someone from the attacks that occurred on 9/11, to those who survived, and to those who tried their best to save or aid in the aftermath, the anniversary rekindles memories of what those people experienced that day. People experience a wide range of emotions this time of year, and it can range from feelings of anger, depression, or anxiety. In most cases, this can derive from a deeper feeling of trauma.

Here are a few ways to cope with the trauma that is still affecting us 20 years later:

Validate your emotions

Experiencing trauma from the events of 9/11 is a normal feeling to have. You don’t have to feel judged or ashamed by being affected by an extremely traumatic event. This isn’t something that you can just get over. But steps can be made to learn how to live with it. 

Don’t isolate yourself

You don’t have to go through these feelings alone. Confide in a strong support group and express yourself in an open and honest manner. Family, friends, a therapist, all of these options are available for you to utilize.  

Limit your exposure to the news

The news cycle is going to be sure to show constant reminders and visuals of what occurred that day. This can be extremely triggering to those who are still traumatized by those events. Be sure to protect your health and avoid the negative energy that those triggers can cause. 

Exercise

Exercising or doing physical activities releases endorphins that promote positive feelings in your body. It also serves as a natural pain-killer, which should help with taking your mind off of any negative feelings that you are experiencing. You can even make it a group activity so that you are building a sense of unity with those that are close to you.

Focus on remembrance

Remember that the point of this day is to honor and memorialize those who are no longer with us as a result of that day. But it is also a day to remind ourselves of just how far we have come since that tragic day. Take pride in the growth and the progress that you have made and are continuing to make on a daily basis. 


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